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Find your Sport Nation frequencyHow Warriors icon's advice ignited Metcalf's breakout campaign
Scott Bailey, AAP • May 15th, 2025 8:00 am
Photo: AAP
Luke Metcalf was never going to be intimidated by the prospect of filling Shaun Johnson's old Warriors No. 7 jersey.
The rising playmaker, set back by injury after injury at both Cronulla and the Warriors, even sought out coach Andrew Webster in the pre-season and told him he wanted to wear it.
Metcalf has undoubtedly been one of this season's feel-good stories, leading a side tipped by some for the spoon into the NRL's top two.
The halfback has seamlessly replaced Johnson, while being behind a forward pack that is missing James Fisher-Harris after the exits of Tohu Harris and Addin Fonua-Blake.
While less experienced players asked to follow club legends so often succumb to the pressure, Metcalf decided to embrace it.
"Because I wanted it," Metcalf told AAP.
"I'm 26 this year, so I knew when I got this chance, I was more than ready.
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"I told Webby I want to wear No. 7 and I want to be that player. I want to be the one that the boys can rely on. I look at it as a privilege to be able to do that.
"There was no doubt in my mind that the years and the work and my dedication, I knew I was ready for it."
Metcalf is well aware of the history of the Warriors' No. 7 jersey.
He has Stacey Jones as an assistant coach, roomed with Johnson as a teammate and points to Greg Alexander as another great to wear it.
There are signs of Johnson in the little things Metcalf does.
The pair text on a weekly basis, breaking down everything from studying opposition defensive lines to icing moments at the clutch.
"A lot of it is the way he goes about looking at a defence, how he is going to break them down and what he is looking for," Metcalf said.
"I probably annoyed him a lot when we'd be roomies, always asking him about being in those moments.
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"I'd ask what it was like being in them, because it's something I always wanted to do. Just to be the guy the team rely on.
"I learnt a lot off his mindset for that ... so I feel really privileged now that I get to be the person to do that for our team."
Metcalf has scored seven tries this year and sits third on the Dally M leaderboard, with Johnson's influence notably evident last Saturday.
With the game on the line, Metcalf proved himself to be the man - deceiving St. George Illawarra by setting up in the line to nail a match-winning field goal.
"It's something that you work on, tinkering with your depth and that sort of stuff," Metcalf said.
"I was lucky in that it meant I didn't get too much pressure.
"I love chasing perfection, I'll probably never get there, but I'll try my best to show it."
